Last week, Sally Quillian Yates, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, along with federal investigative agencies in the Northern District of Georgia, commemorated “National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.”

The week is observed by the numerous federal, state and local agencies which receive financial, volunteer and other support to maintain their services for crime victims.

The theme of this year’s event was “Crime Victims' Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect.” The theme was chosen to highlight the importance of affording crime victims those rights and to recognize the individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to this effort.

“This week is an opportunity for all of us to pause and remember victims who have suffered as a result of crime, but it cannot end there. We have a 52-week-a-year commitment to help crime victims in every way we can,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) have provided billions of dollars to support a wide range of crime victim services that address victims’ needs for information, protection, counseling and help in exercising their rights throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

Millions of dollars are awarded each year by the United States Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) to supplement Georgia’s crime victim compensation program. This program provides victims of crimes with financial assistance for medical bills and other crime-associated expenses.

The United States Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia is involved in a number of victim-related outreach efforts, including:

●Human Trafficking Outreach/Information Distribution. In conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and FBI’s Victim/Witness coordinators, the local United States Attorney’s Office distributes posters advising victims of human trafficking where to call for assistance. The posters are displayed at locations including Underground Atlanta, the main Greyhound bus station, local hospitals and health departments and businesses locations such around Buford Highway, Metropolitan Parkway, Fulton Industrial, Jimmy Carter Boulevard and the International Markets, as well as with other social service agencies in those communities that work with immigrants.

●Education Initiative. In coming months, Assistant United States Attorneys and the Victim/Witness Unit will conduct training for approximately 100-125 Security Office Personnel at Underground Atlanta, Greenbriar Mall, Atlantic Station, The Mall in Gwinnett and the Macon Mall on how to identify human trafficking victims and who to call if they suspect a person is a victim.

●2010 International Conference on Sexual Assault, Stalking and Domestic Violence. This provided training on human trafficking, sex trafficking in teens, pornography, sexual assault, trauma and domestic violence. The United States Attorney’s Victim/Witness personnel participated in the conference and staffed a display booth that provided information about the services the federal system provides to victims.

● The 20th Annual Crime Victims' Memorial Service. The First Baptist Church of Decatur kicked off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week on Sunday, April 18, 2010, with a special service sponsored by The Crime Victims’ Advocacy Council (CVAC), the Metro-Atlanta District Attorneys' Offices and the U.S. Attorney's Office. The event was designed as a healing event for victims and survivors of any crime. During the service, CVAC, and family members read a loved one's name and lit a candle in his or her memory. A memorial wall of many of those murdered in Metro-Atlanta from 1991 to 2009 was also on display. Many families brought a remembrance, such as a memento or small picture of their loved one(s) and placed it at the front of the sanctuary.

More information about National Crime Victims' Rights Week, the Crime Victims Fund, and victim assistance and compensation programs is available at: www.ojp.gov.

For more information about Georgia’s victim assistance programs, contact the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council at 104 Marietta Street, Suite 440, Atlanta, Georgia, 30303 or by telephone at 404-657-1956. Information about OVC and its programs is available at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc or by calling the Office for Victims of Crime Resource Center at 800-627-6872.

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